ARTS IN THE DARK 2019 HALLOWEEN PARADE RETURNS Saturday, Oct. 19, 6 PM – 8 PM

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ARTS IN THE DARK 

2019 HALLOWEEN PARADE

SALUTES “YEAR OF CHICAGO THEATRE”

EXTRAORDINARY NIGHTTIME PROCESSION WILL ILLUMINATE STATE STREET WITH COSTUMES, SPECTACLE, MUSIC, DANCE AND MORE

           

Saturday, Oct. 19, 6 PM – 8 PM

LUMA8, in collaboration with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), is pleased to announce the fifth annual Arts in the Dark, a festive and magical nighttime Halloween parade along State St. on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM, showcasing the creativity of Chicago’s diverse cultural community and celebrating Halloween as the “artist’s holiday.”

The event is produced by LUMA8 (Light Up My Arts), a nonprofit dedicated to elevating Chicago as a focal point of artistic innovation to enrich the lives of its citizens and create economic impact. Sharene Shariatzadeh, President and CEO of the nonprofit, is delighted that the parade has been embraced by the city and that, thanks to support from the Chicago Loop Alliance, it will spend another year in its new home on historic State Street.

“It is a true honor to produce a parade that shines a light on Chicago’s magnificent cultural community,” Shariatzadeh says.  “The parade participants outdo themselves each year, bringing a new level of creativity and spectacle to what is becoming an iconic Chicago event.”

Arts in the Dark will begin marching on State St. at dusk, traveling south from Lake St. to Van Buren St. This year’s procession will bring together more than 80 contingents ranging from world-renowned organizations like The Joffrey Ballet and Lookingglass Theatre, to important programs such as After School Matters and aspiring artists in every field.

The vision for Arts in the Dark was created by founding artistic director, Mark Kelly, now Chicago's Commissioner of DCASE.  This year, the parade will open with a float celebrating the “Year of Chicago Theatre” which will be followed by 14 Chicago-based theater companies commissioned by LUMA8, thanks to a grant from DCASE. Recipients include: About Face Theatre, Auditorium Theatre, Black Ensemble Theater, Broadway In Chicago, COLLABORACTION, Chicago Children's Theatre, Chicago Fringe Opera, CircEsteem, Dream Big Education, Jabberwocky Marionettes, Lookingglass Theatre Company, Opera-Matic, 16th Street Theater and Synapse Arts. 

The “Year of Chicago Theatre” was celebrated by LUMA8 throughout the season in a series of lantern processions on the Riverwalk honoring Broadway In Chicago, CircEsteem, Collaboraction, and Dream Big Education. The processions were created in partnership with DCASE as part of the “Second Tuesdays on the Riverwalk” program and received support from Millennium Garages.   

LUMA8 presents Arts in the Dark in partnership with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and the Chicago Park District. The Chicago Loop Alliance is a Major Sponsor of the 2019 parade.

Other partners/sponsors include: Blue Plate Catering, Broadway In Chicago, Chicago Athletic Hotel Association, Chicago Blackhawks, Choose Chicago, CineCares, Flirt Communications, Harris Theater for Music and Dance,Macy’s, Mesirow Financial, PRP Wine International and Revolution Brewing.

This family-friendly event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.ArtsintheDark.org.

About LUMA8

LUMA8 (Light Up My Arts) is an independent not-for-profit dedicated to creating conversations about Chicago that are heard around the world. This is achieved through unique cultural events and experiences, often using light and scale as tools, and by developing innovative ways to amplify the effect of existing arts initiatives. It coordinates the work of public agencies, arts organizations and artists to elevate the cultural life of the city, attract visitors, and ultimately generate economic impact.

About the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is dedicated to enriching Chicago’s artistic vitality and cultural vibrancy. This includes fostering the development of Chicago’s non-profit arts sector, independent working artists and for-profit arts businesses; providing a framework to guide the City’s future cultural and economic growth, via the 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan; marketing the City’s cultural assets to a worldwide audience; and presenting high-quality, free and affordable cultural programs for residents and visitors.

About the Chicago Park District

The Chicago Park District is the 2014 Gold Medal Award winner, recognized for excellence in park and recreation management across the nation. For more information about the Chicago Park District’s more than 8,700 acres of parkland, more than 600 parks, 26 miles of lakefront, 11 museums, two world-class conservatories, 15 cultural centers, 16 historic lagoons, nearly 50 nature areas, thousands of special events, sports and entertaining programs, please visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com or contact the Chicago Park District at 312/742.PLAY or 312/747.2001 (TTY). Want to share your talent? Volunteer in the parks by calling, 312/742.PLAY.

Experience ZOMBIE ZIP LINES AT EDGE ADVENTURES in Crown Point Indiana

ZOMBIE ZIP LINES AT EDGE ADVENTURES 

IN OCTOBER

Zombie Zip Lines will provide new thrills throughout the month of October at Edge Adventures Aerial Park – Deep River NWI when the park will be transformed into a Halloween experience unlike any other in the Chicago/Northwest Indiana region. Zombies take up residence on Fridays beginning October 5 from 6 to 9 p.m. with the last Zip Line Adventure beginning at 8 p.m.

Talented actors from area high schools will be starring as the zombies. The first Zombie Zip Line Friday (October 5) will feature actors from Hobart High School's Theatre Department. Lake Central High School Drama Club will haunt the grounds on October 12. And the final two Fridays - October 19 and 26 - will star Highland High School's Theatre Department.



Against a backdrop of fall leaves bathed in Halloween lights and spooky sounds, beginning adventurers and weekend warriors can zip line their way through more than 50 treetop obstacles while zombies roam the scary forest below and ghosts hang out in adjacent trees. All of the aerial park’s challenges provide thrills and screams for guests at every skill level. It’s a new way to celebrate Halloween all month long. Adults and kids can harness up and climb into the trees to embark on adventures that include traversing across rope bridges, balancing on log beams or climbing on cargo nets.





There will be a far less scary experience at the kids’ course which includes low to the ground elements, zip lines and little pumpkin adventures for children ages 4-7. Tickets are $10 for a one-hour experience.

Edge Adventures provides all safety equipment – helmet, harnesses, belays and gloves. Guests participate in a safety briefing and practice course, and are assisted by Edge ACCT-trained staff throughout each of the course routes. They have the thrill of climbing, zipping and working through the courses with the security of knowing that they are 100 percent on the safety line from start to finish.

Certain age, height and weight limits apply for the larger courses. Adventurers must be at least 8-years old, with a minimum weight of 40 lbs and a maximum of 275 lbs. Hands must reach 66” high with feet flat on the ground. The two-hour adventure is $42 for adults and $32 for children 8-12. The three-hour adventure is $49 adults, $39 children 8-12. Groups of 20+ may reserve a Group Adventure any day subject to availability. Call or email for details.

Edge Adventures Aerial Park NWI is located at 9001 E. Lincoln Highway, Crown Point, IN 46307. The park is open on Fridays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. (last 2 hour adventure goes out at 8 p.m.). Zip line adventures (minus the zombies) are also available on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (last 2 hour adventure goes out at 4 p.m.) throughout the month of October.

For general and advanced ticket information for Edge Adventures, call 800-590-8347, email us at info@edgeadventureparks.com, like us on Facebook 
https://www.facebook.com/deepriveraerialpark/ 
follow us on Instagram http://www.instagram.com/edgeadventuresdeepriver/ 
or go to our website: http://www.edgeadventureparks.com/deep-river

Biggest and Scariest Fright Fest Ever Is Back Through October 31st at Six Flags Great America

Six Flags Great America Unleashes Its Biggest and Scariest Fright Fest Ever

New ‘Hell Fest’ Maze Themed After the Upcoming Horror Movie

Among This Year’s Highlights

Halloween season is a favorite of ours here at ChiIL Mama & ChiIL Live Shows. There's a fall chill in the evening air and it's time to get your scare on at Fright Fest® at Six Flags Great America. Our family has gone for years. 

**ChiIL Mama's Fright Fest 2017 Photo Recap **

**Click here and scroll down to check out more of ChiIL Mama's frightfully fun photo features of Fright Fests Past.** 

Six Flags Great America, the Thrill Capital of the Midwest, kicks off the most menacing Fright Fest® in its history. Beginning September 15, the theme park transforms into a scream park for 24 horrifying days. Monster coasters in the dark, roaming zombies around every corner and spellbinding, haunted attractions combine for the region’s most thrillingly, sinister Halloween celebration.







“Fright Fest is the must-do, must-see event of the season. Every year, we ramp up the fear factor with more freakish zombies, and scarier scare zones and mazes for an all-out terrifying experience,” said Six Flags Great America Park President Hank Salemi. “No one does Halloween like Six Flags and this year’s Fright Fest is our best and most immersive yet.”



The bone-chilling lineup of haunted attractions features ten scare zones and six haunted houses, including a terrifying recreation of scenes from the upcoming horror movie, Hell Fest.

Fright Fest highlights include:
Thrills by day and Fright by night…enjoy family-friendly activities during the day...



but after 6 p.m., all hell breaks loose;
New Hell Fest haunted attraction;
6 horrifyingly haunted houses;
10 spooktacular shows that chill to the bone;
10 scream-inducing scare zones; and
16 world-class coasters, in the dark.

Fright Fest runs select days and weekends thru October 31. For more information on Fright Fest at Six Flags Great America, visit https://www.sixflags.com/greatamerica/special-events/fright-fest-night

About Six Flags Entertainment Corporation
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is the world’s largest regional theme park company and the largest operator of waterparks in North America, with $1.4 billion in revenue and 25 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada. For 57 years, Six Flags has entertained millions of families with world-class coasters, themed rides, thrilling water parks and unique attractions. For more information, visit www.sixflags.com.

Arts in the Dark LUMA8 (Light Up My Arts) Halloween Parade Saturday, Oct. 21 from 6-8 p.m.

ChiIL Mama's Chi, IL Picks List

EVERYONE BECOMES AN ARTIST ON HALLOWEEN!

MAGICAL NIGHTTIME PROCESSION IN DOWNTOWN’S CULTURAL DISTRICT

FILLED WITH COSTUMES, SPECTACLE, MUSIC, DANCE AND MORE

            

Saturday, Oct. 21, 6 – 8 PM

LUMA8, in collaboration with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and the Chicago Park District, is pleased to announce Arts in the Dark, a festive and enchanting nighttime Halloween Parade along Columbus Drive, on Saturday, Oct. 21 from 6-8 p.m., that will showcase the creativity of Chicago’s diverse cultural community and inspire the next generation of artists.



Arts in the Dark will begin marching on Columbus Drive at dusk, traveling from Balbo Ave. to Monroe St., and will be led by eight “Illuminators” chosen for their remarkable efforts in their respective creative fields.  It is “parade as art” as contingents combine costumes, masks, spectacle, music, movement, lighting elements and audience engagement.

The event is produced by LUMA8 (Light Up My Arts), a not-for-profit dedicated to elevating Chicago as a focal point of artistic and cultural innovation.  Sharene Shariatzadeh, President and CEO of LUMA8, says, “The LUMA8 team is proud to produce Arts in the Dark in collaboration with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) and the Chicago Park District.”  Shariatzadeh adds, “We believe Arts in the Dark is destined to become one of Chicago’s most iconic events because it showcases that which is at the very heart of the City – its dynamic cultural community.  Don’t miss the opportunity to experience this extraordinary evening!”



LUMA8 is executing the vision of Mark Kelly, Chicago's Commissioner of DCASE.  Kelly says, “As the founding Artistic Director for The Halloween Parade, I am excited that my vision to activate Halloween as the "artist's holiday" will be taken to a new level with LUMA8’s Arts in the Dark.  This curated nighttime parade brings together our entire cultural community in a magical moment to celebrate our creative spirit and the amazing contributions we make to this City.” 

Arts in the Dark draws together Chicago’s vast creative community, from world-renowned cultural institutions to aspiring artists in every field.  The Art Institute and School of the Art Institute will march in medieval-style armor, Broadway In Chicago will invite their devoted fans to dress up as their favorite Broadway characters, and After School Matters will have multiple programs participating including West Town Bikes with decorated cycles and riders, the Mariachi Ensemble, Aztec Dance Chicago and The Art of Drumming. 

LUMA8 also is calling on individual artists to join the parade by creating lanterns using the theme “Under the Sea and Up in the Air.”  Awards will be given to the artists with the most creative and best executed lanterns.



The Arts in the Dark festivities will kick-off at 4 p.m. at Buckingham Fountain, where the Chicago Blackhawks street team will host a pre-parade celebration including music and a Blackhawks inspired mural to commemorate the artist’s holiday in conjunction with hockey. Party-goers can post pictures to social media for the chance to win Blackhawks prizes.  Following the parade, DCASE will host a “House Party at the Bean,” and the Chicago Park District will present a family-friendly Halloween movie and candy giveaways in Maggie Daley Park.

Sponsors/Partners include Millennium Garages, Blue Plate Catering, Chicago Cultural Mile Association, Cinespace Chicago Film Studios, Concept Effects, Connor J Design, EXPO Chicago, Lagunitas and Mesirow Financial.

This family-friendly event is free and open to the public.  For more information, visit www.ArtsintheDark.org

About LUMA8
LUMA8 (Light Up My Arts) is an independent not-for-profit dedicated to creating conversations about Chicago that are heard around the world.  This is achieved through unique cultural events and experiences, often using light and scale as tools, and by developing innovative ways to amplify the effect of existing arts initiatives.  It coordinates the work of public agencies, arts organizations and artists to elevate the cultural life of the city, attract visitors, and ultimately generate economic impact.

About the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is dedicated to enriching Chicago’s artistic vitality and cultural vibrancy.  This includes fostering the development of Chicago’s non-profit arts sector, independent working artists and for-profit arts businesses; providing a framework to guide the City’s future cultural and economic growth, via the 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan; marketing the City’s cultural assets to a worldwide audience; and presenting high-quality, free and affordable cultural programs for residents and visitors.

About the Chicago Park District
The Chicago Park District is the 2014 Gold Medal Award winner, recognized for excellence in park and recreation management across the nation. For more information about the Chicago Park District’s more than 8,700 acres of parkland, more than 600 parks, 26 miles of lakefront, 11 museums, two world-class conservatories, 15 cultural centers, 16 historic lagoons, nearly 50 nature areas, thousands of special events, sports and entertaining programs, please visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com or contact the Chicago Park District at 312/742.PLAY or 312/747.2001 (TTY). Want to share your talent? Volunteer in the parks by calling, 312/742.PLAY.